Lake Customers

• New construction or replacement of cabins and garages
• Additions
• On grade features such as paved driveways and rock parking areas
• Major repairs
• Fences
• Water drainage systems and pipes
• Elevated decks and walkways
   

The space remaining on a lot after the minimum setbacks and other site restrictions have been applied. The buildable area is made up of a combination of lot line setbacks, shoreline setbacks and roadway setbacks.

• Shoreline setback (site specific – According to Appendix A of permitting procedures.
• Lot line setbacks – no closer to the lot boundary than 4 feet horizontal, or 10% of the width of the lot at the point of construction, whichever is greater, but not to exceed 20 feet.
• Roadway setback – no closer than 20 feet horizontally from a platted exterior roadway or 10 feet from a platted interior roadway or alley.
• Building Height Restrictions – not to exceed 35 feet as measured from the lowest adjacent grade.
   

Lake specific (according to Appendix B of permitting procedures)
 

Water wells are regulated by the State of Nebraska and require proof of compliance with state standards during the District permitting application process.

On-Site Wastewater and Septic Systems 
Septic systems are regulated by the State of Nebraska and require proof of compliance with state standards during the District permitting application process.

• Permitted as a dwelling related improvement.
• Liquified Petroleum gas tanks are regulated by the State of Nebraska and require proof of compliance with state standards during the District permitting application process.
• Except that, at Johnson Lake, new or replacement liquid propane tanks will be limited in size to less than 125 gallons.
• Located within the lot’s buildable area above the FERC lake limit.
   

Maximum Height – 4 ½ feet
Spacing - Multiple retaining walls may be built provided that a horizontal spacing equaling or exceeding the adjacent wall height is maintained between the individual retaining walls.
 

Case by case approval with industry standard safety features and an engineered design. Engineer must be licensed in the state of Nebraska and provide their necessary seal of the work.

Contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nebraska regulatory office for approval of any work along the shoreline. 

Please contact the District after receiving Corps approval to obtain the required Central permit. 

Seawalls without riprap are prohibited by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 

Permits will be required for trimming and/or removal of trees from April 1st through August 15th. 

Northern Long-Eared Bats 
Gosper and Dawson Counties Only - During the months of June and July, no cutting or trimming of trees will be permitted.
 

Tree and shrub planting may be permitted within a lot's boundaries or in the area immediately adjacent to the lakeside of the lot.

Neighbor approval is required when a tree or shrub planting site is situated:

• Within an adjacent lot's protected Viewshed, or 
• In a location near a lot line that is closer than one-half (1/2) of the tree's anticipated canopy diameter at maturity, or 
• Within a lot's setback zone between adjacent structures, in such a manner that future access would be negatively impacted. 
   

Regardless of dates, vegetation removal and planting in the common areas always requires a permit from the District. 

• Replacing shorestations, jet ski lifts or dock sections all requires a permit
• The placement of any new water structure requires a permit

• No closer than 10 feet to the side lot line
• Width no greater than 16 feet for a dock
• Shall not exceed 1,200 square feet
• Dock Length: Boatable Water (3 ft), 130 feet, ¼ width of a cove

Sidewalks or Patios 

Sidewalk Rules & Regulations: 

• No closer than 10 feet to the side lot line (unless written adjacent neighbor and association approval is obtained)
• Routes shall be limited to 6 feet in width and shall be constructed in the most direct route feasible.
• An 8-foot wide by 6-foot deep anchor pad may be permitted at the end of a route of access where a dock is connected to the shoreline
• Up to three routes of access may be permitted per leasehold, or adjacent landowner.

Patio Rules & Regulations:

• May not exceed three hundred square feet (300ft2)
• Sidewalks running parallel to the shoreline can be permitted but will be included in the 300 square foot area.
• No closer than 10 feet to the side lot line (unless written adjacent neighbor and association approval is obtained)

Sidewalks & patios: 

• Permitted within the boundaries of the lot.
• Proper drainage of water must be incorporated into the design.
• Cannot exceed 4 inches above grade.